RS: Speaking of producers, when you work with someone like Bill Hamel - does he send you a track to write to?
Madelin: Yes. With “Anything Perfect,” Bill called and said he had a track that he thought I would be inspired by. I had some lyrics that I thought went really well with the music and then we fine-tuned the whole thing, melody and song-story, together. I like working with Bill Hamel very much.
RS: What was it like working with ATB?
Madelin: So amazing! He is incredibly humble. His studio is like a big family with all these characters (Woody Van Eyden and Space Kid). They have this cook that makes them all lunch everyday. Writing with ATB is great because he has this amazing positive energy which is almost spiritual. He’s one of the top producers ever. His ears are just incredible.
RS: You are breaking the mold - as most electro songs feature female vocals that are cold if not detached. Your songs contain a lot more emotion with your performance. Was it your goal to add warmth to the
cold nature of electro?
Madelin: I didn’t think about it really. I wasn’t trying to stay within a genre. Electro sometimes has a way of making you feel like you are at a birthday party that you weren’t invited to. I hate that. It feels fake.
RS: Sorry to keep comparing you to Madonna - but like her you are so visual - with your use of videos to portray messages. Was Goldstar based on a single story?
Madelin: We tried to mirror the song concept except in the song Goldstar chooses fame while in the video she chooses love.
RS: Talking about videos, what inspired the dancing navy boys in the "Destroy She Said" video?
Madelin: Daniel Klenke came up with that. I thought it was kind of hot. European culture is so much more open than ours. I love the way the boys dress there but then I come home and I’m like, wow, cowboys are hot!
RS: Which song on the CD was the biggest challenge to write or record?
Madelin: Oh my God.. Dirty Purple. It was the first song I wrote and the last song we finished.
RS: What exactly is "dirty purple" - some abstract notion? My only reference is the southern coloquialism I heard once when post coitus my partner said that they saw purple.
Madelin: Haha, well the lyrics read like a letter. So it should say, Dear Dirty Purple, I am here lamenting you. But I got the name because purple is the color of intuition. Both Dirty Purple and Gold Star are inspired by real people in my life.
RS: Are you performing a lot to promote the album?
Madelin: Yes, I am performing in Cuba next week and I am having a Christmas party and show at Plaid in New York City on December 16th. I’ll probably tour in 2005.
RS: How has your rock music background affected your live performances?
Madelin: I definitely come from the other side. I love being on stage with a band.
RS: Whats your favorite song to sing live?
Madelin: "In the Morning” is so much fun live.
RS: What’s in your CD player right now?
Madelin: Jimi Hendrix. I went to a party recently and they were playing a lot of his music. I caught the bug.
RS: I read on your website that you collect fans. You’re the first person I’ve heard who does that. May I ask why?
Madelin: I like the cold steel art deco lines. I have heard stories of people finding fans in boxes that have never been opened. I would freak if I found one of those.
RS: Speaking of your website - I love how you respond to posts from your fans. How important do you think the internet will be for you?
Madelin: Well it’s been a great thing because it connects us all and if people hear my music in the most obscure places. They can find me from anywhere in there world and I love connecting with my fans <laughing>.
